My Bob Dylan Interview

By now you are well aware that the Nobel Prize for literature was awarded to Bob Dylan. I didn’t have a unique chance to interview him for this article but still found a way for him to respond to my questions. Here is my fantasy interview of Bob Dylan who responds in well the reason and way he received the award- through his lyrics.

Genes: It’s an honor to speak to you Mr. Dylan

DYLAN: You may call me Bobby, you may call me Zimmy.1

Genes: Ah, Ok Zimmy. I’m a little nervous so I hope this goes well.

DYLAN: I ain’t lookin’ to fight with you, frighten you or tighten you, Drag you down or drain you down, chain you down or bring you down. All I really want to do is, baby, be friends with you2

Genes: Ahh that’s nice. Tell me about the phone call from the Academy and your reaction?

Genes: I understand. Being that it was such a bold step for the Swedish Academy to give the award for the first time to a musician and the first American in two decades. Where were you and what did you do when you won?

DYLAN: Where my friends and I spent many an afternoon. Where we together weathered many a storm. Laughin’ and singin’ till the early hours of the morn.4

Genes: Sounds like quite a party. Now that you have had time to reflect Why do you think the Nobel committee chose you and why now?

DYLAN: It ain’t no use to sit and wonder why, babe. It don’t matter, anyhow. Ain’t no use to sit and wonder why, babe, if you don’t know by now.5

Genes: Fair enough. And the prize money of over a million dollars. Your plans?

DYLAN: I ain’t gonna work on Maggie’s farm no more.6

Genes: Yea I figured that. Tell me about your process of writing?

DYLAN: You walk into the room with your pencil in your hand, you see somebody naked and you say, “Who is that man?”7

Genes: Uh yea Ok. It is a family radio station so let’s try to keep it real. Tell us something about Bob Dylan we don’t know?

DYLAN: Well, sometimes I might get drunk, walk like a duck and stomp like a skunk8

Genes: Nice! I’d like to see that. Now you came into prominence as a politically charged writer and though you disliked the term “voice of a generation,” you were. However, you have been kinda quiet this political season.

DYLAN: People disagreeing on all just about everything, yeah. Makes you stop and all wonder why. Why only yesterday I saw somebody on the street who just couldn’t help but cry. Oh, this ol’ river keeps on rollin’, though, no matter what gets in the way and which way the wind does blow. And as long as it does I’ll just sit here and watch the river flow.9

Genes: Makes sense to me. In your very public life, you have experienced many ups and downs. Any regrets?

DYLAN: I wouldn’t change a thing even if I could. You know what they say, they say it’s all good.10

Genes: You are 75 years old, reached many artistic peaks any parting words?

DYLAN: Kind ladies and kind gentlemen, Soon I will be gone but let me just warn you all. Before I do pass on, stay free from petty jealousies, live by no man’s code and hold your judgment for yourself Lest you wind up on this road.11